Bertha Matilda Doyle
From Our Contribution
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| Headstone Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1887 |
| Age at Death | 88 years |
| Transcription | In loving memory of Bertha Matilda Doyle. Loved daughter of Sarah & William Buckingham, loved mother of Tim, Laurie, Betty, Kath. Passed away 5th August 1976 aged 88 years. "Forever in our hearts". |
Bertha Matilda Doyle (1887 - 5 August 1976), was one of thirteen children born to William and Sarah Buckingham.
Early Life
Bertha Doyle was born in 1887 at an isolated farmhouse in Araluen that today we know as the Buckingham Cottage. The family lived off the land, selling their farm produce to survive. They kept horses, sheep and cattle and planted a market garden and many fruit trees. As a child, Bertha went to school spasmodically. She had to walk 6 miles down to Kelmscott School with her siblings. Bertha left school when she was in Class 5. As Bertha grew up, like most girls her age she left home and went to work as a domestic.
Marriage
Married Jack Hymus 1918 in the old Church that her Uncle Thomas built. Their 4 children were born in their War Service home in Rockingham. Sadly, Bertha lost Jack from his war injuries after only 10 years of marriage and later married Jack Doyle.
Community Contribution
She exhibited things at the Kelmscott Show and won prizes for her cooking. She once won a beautiful silver teapot as a trophy for the best butter in the Show. It is said that everyone loved Bertha and she was considered "The hospitality queen".
Death
Bertha died at 88.